Leah+Nelson : Saratoga Polo Club Wedding Photos

How did you meet? Do you have a special proposal story?
Funny you should ask, especially since Nelson made a video documenting each one! We met in Manhattan through a dating app that matched us through a mutual “friend” which actually ended up being a Crossfit gym we had both liked. Yes, seriously. As for the proposal, Nelson tried to do it in Gramercy Park the evening before we departed NYC for our move to Miami. No luck on getting inside the park but we had a great celebration anyways. Here’s the video: LINK

What is your inspiration when planning your wedding?
Low stress, maximum fun. We talked about the things that were most important to us in the planning process early on and prioritized those accordingly. A lot of our wedding planning was done while Nelson was climbing Everest last spring and it gave us something to work on remotely but also together while he was away for two months. We’d have long, funny email chains back and forth about music selections or color schemes and it was comical to see how much of an opinion he had on certain topics!

Did you incorporate any fun themes/motifs or design elements?
The favors on the tables were handcrafted chocolates from Mirelli Chocolatier, a Los Angeles chocolate shop owned and operated by Leah’s sister-in-law’s family. For the traditional sabering of the champagne, Nelson used the ice axe he brings on mountaineering trips instead of the usual saber. Ceremony and cocktail hour music was provided by Rich Ortiz, a local musician that Leah and her 518-native friends had loved for many years. On one of the early trips in our relationship, Leah had brought Nelson to the races during Saratoga summer and he had gotten hooked on his music, too.

Did you include any special traditions, old or new?
We really wanted to create a ceremony that was light and candid and reflected us. One of Leah’s RPI college friends and the couple’s friend from NYC, Carly Strife, officiated the ceremony and worked with us to select readings and write vows that represented us as individuals and a couple. She really built the ceremony format and we loved it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Hurricane Matthew formed about a week before our wedding and slowly strengthened and changed course several times during that week; sadly it impacted flights for many of our guests coming from South Florida but we were so grateful and happy for everyone who was able to modify their flights and make plans to get out of Florida to join our celebration!

Dress Designer: Pronovias
Dress Shop: Angela’s Bridal
Hair: Complexions Spa
Makeup: Katia Carboni (Leah’s sister-in-law, an LA-based makeup artist and super important person in her life)
Bridesmaid dresses: BHLDN
Flowers: Fleurtacious Designs
Cake: Make Me A Cake Next Door
Catering: Old Daley Inn
Entertainment: Rich Ortiz (ceremony & cocktail hour), LaBoom Entertainment (DJ)
Coordinator/Planner/Designer: Bianca Valente, Old Daley Inn
Bridesmaids Getting Ready: Union Gables Inn
Groomsmen Getting Ready: Batcheller Mansion Inn